I just returned from 3 days in Orlando, attending the Synergize2! conference. There were more than 16 pastors/leaders from across the world, that shared what God was doing. It was a time of refreshing, renewal, and a fresh anointing. It was like a breath of fresh air, to hear that God is moving in other countries across the world. Millions are giving their life to Christ every day! The gospel is being taken to the "uttermost parts of the earth".
In the coming weeks, I will be posting different notes and thoughts from some of the features speakers.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Haiti -- End or Beginning?
The below post is from a Facebook note written by Gerald Bustin (click here to be taken to the Facebook note page). It is very powerful, because it is so true.
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IS THIS THE END OF HAITI OR A BEGINNING? Gerald Bustin
I am really, really angry—so angry I could scream!
Yesterday, two different people who called me for news about Haiti and the victims of the earthquake fell back into the standard default mode of so called “Christians,” with their stupid, buck-passing cliche’: “Well we know this is what we expect in these last days!”
To be fair, they may not have meant it the way I took it, but since actions speak louder than words, this seems to be the way most Christians mean it— “O well, God said it would happen so there’s nothing we can do about it.” That sort of blathering stupidity is what is making me angry.
For too long we have believed the devil-inspired doctrines of John Darby and have allowed the church to lose our purpose, power, and destiny. (He claimed the church was just a parenthesis in God’s calendar and was never meant to conquer or win the world but was destined to be taken out so God could come back to His original plan—Israel.) Since then the church has believed it’s mission in life is to evacuate, not conquer! Of course we are in the “last days,” but remember, the last days started with Jesus Christ! The last days did not prevent the early church from changing their known world! The last days did not prevent John Wesley from changing the face of England. The last days did not prevent Whitefield and Edwards and others from being used of God in laying the foundation in revival for the birth and formation of the United States of America! The last days did not prevent William Carey from becoming the “Father of modern missions.” And it did not keep my father and five of his children from going into stone-age New Guinea and helping to change the destiny of that nation!
So now with maybe 100,000 dead, many lying in the streets, and probably most buried beneath the rubble in Haiti, what is our real vision for the church’s response? The world is rushing to bring in water, food, medical attention and shelter, and that is urgently needed at this time. But as important and needed as it is, this kind of assistance is little more than a proverbial “band-aid” and is only a short-term solution. We can join the rush to get more “band-aids” or we can look through the eyes of faith and see this as a potential NEW BEGINNING FOR HAITI then act accordingly!
We can cry over the terrible suffering (and we should) or, while weeping, we can pick up the “Balm in Gilead” and go forward in His Name to bring healing to a nation— Healing to a nation that sold it’s soul to the devil more than 200 years ago and has been living under a curse ever since! Healing to a nation that has lived in squalor and poverty, and starvation and disease and corruption for 200 years while being the “Voodoo Capital of the World.” Healing to a nation that shares the very same Island of Hispaniola with a neighbor (Dominican Republic) which is rich compared with Haiti.
I went to Haiti as a very small boy with my family 65 years ago—1945. Across the years since then, many missionaries including my mother and sister-in-law, have laid down their lives there. Millions of dollars have been poured into Haiti during these years. Today Haiti is really no better off than it was then. According to reports, The USA has given more than three billion dollars in aid to Haiti since 1992. But Haiti really has nothing to show for that money! Haiti has gone from once being the richest French colony - the Pearl of the Antilles - to being the poorest nation in the western hemisphere! Today it has been stripped of its resources: 98% of the national territory has been deforested, increasing the vulnerability of a population impoverished by years of dictatorship and violence. And now as Haiti reels from the devastation of a powerful earthquake, it seems it’s plight could not possibly be any worse!
And as the world rushes in with “band-aids” the Church of Jesus Christ needs to speak with the faith and power of Peter and John, “Silver and gold we don’t have, but. . . In the name of Jesus Christ rise up and live!” So how do we make this the Beginning of a new Haiti? By raising up an “army” of people filled with the love and faith of Jesus who will go in and weep with them— but not in despair or desolation— but with faith and hope that there is a better day coming. By helping them rise up and break the curse by denouncing the devil and all his ways. By lifting the Name of Jesus and speaking the power of that Name over the land! By establishing the Lordship of Jesus Christ over Haiti.
Of course it won’t hurt to have some “band-aids” in our pockets as well to share, but “band-aids” is not our business! Our Business is Asserting the Healing and Transforming Power of Jesus Christ and speaking with one united voice with the authority that is ours to cast out the devil!
Back to me being Angry: Why? I am tired of Christians living with an artificial ceiling above our heads placed there by an end-time doctrine of doom and gloom rather than a vision of victory! I am tired of having to beg wealthy Christians for a few crumbs from their over-loaded tables so I can share those crumbs with a starving world! I am tired of selfish “Christians” who have no greater motivation than SELF and in that sense are no different from the world! (Some even think they are more holy because of the clothes they wear and even this self-righteousness is just more bloated self!) I am tired of so-called Christians who are content to chase little white balls around green fields in Florida since they have enough money to “retire” on while much of the world is headed for hell but they couldn’t be bothered! I am tired of “successful” business men with bulging pockets, acting like I am being painfully unreasonable to suggest they should share some of their time and money with others whose pockets are empty! (And by the way—if they don’t give it willingly the government cometh to take-eth it away.) I am tired of so-called Christians looking the other way (because, remember it is not our purpose to win) while we lose our privileges and freedoms to pray and read our Bibles in public places and while the Name of Jesus is forbidden at the close of our public prayers! I am tired of allowing 50 million of our babies to be murdered under the name of legal abortions and allowing militant homosexuals to define the meaning of marriage! I am tired of Christians voting again and again for the same corrupt politicians who use the power we give them to sneer and snarl at our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! And I am REALLY SICK AND TIRED of being told that this is the way it has to be because God declared it should be this way in these “Last Days.” And I’m really, really, really tired of you Face Book readers who don’t have enough passion in your hearts and fire in your bellies to get off your soft sofas and start doing something about it!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IS THIS THE END OF HAITI OR A BEGINNING? Gerald Bustin
I am really, really angry—so angry I could scream!
Yesterday, two different people who called me for news about Haiti and the victims of the earthquake fell back into the standard default mode of so called “Christians,” with their stupid, buck-passing cliche’: “Well we know this is what we expect in these last days!”
To be fair, they may not have meant it the way I took it, but since actions speak louder than words, this seems to be the way most Christians mean it— “O well, God said it would happen so there’s nothing we can do about it.” That sort of blathering stupidity is what is making me angry.
For too long we have believed the devil-inspired doctrines of John Darby and have allowed the church to lose our purpose, power, and destiny. (He claimed the church was just a parenthesis in God’s calendar and was never meant to conquer or win the world but was destined to be taken out so God could come back to His original plan—Israel.) Since then the church has believed it’s mission in life is to evacuate, not conquer! Of course we are in the “last days,” but remember, the last days started with Jesus Christ! The last days did not prevent the early church from changing their known world! The last days did not prevent John Wesley from changing the face of England. The last days did not prevent Whitefield and Edwards and others from being used of God in laying the foundation in revival for the birth and formation of the United States of America! The last days did not prevent William Carey from becoming the “Father of modern missions.” And it did not keep my father and five of his children from going into stone-age New Guinea and helping to change the destiny of that nation!
So now with maybe 100,000 dead, many lying in the streets, and probably most buried beneath the rubble in Haiti, what is our real vision for the church’s response? The world is rushing to bring in water, food, medical attention and shelter, and that is urgently needed at this time. But as important and needed as it is, this kind of assistance is little more than a proverbial “band-aid” and is only a short-term solution. We can join the rush to get more “band-aids” or we can look through the eyes of faith and see this as a potential NEW BEGINNING FOR HAITI then act accordingly!
We can cry over the terrible suffering (and we should) or, while weeping, we can pick up the “Balm in Gilead” and go forward in His Name to bring healing to a nation— Healing to a nation that sold it’s soul to the devil more than 200 years ago and has been living under a curse ever since! Healing to a nation that has lived in squalor and poverty, and starvation and disease and corruption for 200 years while being the “Voodoo Capital of the World.” Healing to a nation that shares the very same Island of Hispaniola with a neighbor (Dominican Republic) which is rich compared with Haiti.
I went to Haiti as a very small boy with my family 65 years ago—1945. Across the years since then, many missionaries including my mother and sister-in-law, have laid down their lives there. Millions of dollars have been poured into Haiti during these years. Today Haiti is really no better off than it was then. According to reports, The USA has given more than three billion dollars in aid to Haiti since 1992. But Haiti really has nothing to show for that money! Haiti has gone from once being the richest French colony - the Pearl of the Antilles - to being the poorest nation in the western hemisphere! Today it has been stripped of its resources: 98% of the national territory has been deforested, increasing the vulnerability of a population impoverished by years of dictatorship and violence. And now as Haiti reels from the devastation of a powerful earthquake, it seems it’s plight could not possibly be any worse!
And as the world rushes in with “band-aids” the Church of Jesus Christ needs to speak with the faith and power of Peter and John, “Silver and gold we don’t have, but. . . In the name of Jesus Christ rise up and live!” So how do we make this the Beginning of a new Haiti? By raising up an “army” of people filled with the love and faith of Jesus who will go in and weep with them— but not in despair or desolation— but with faith and hope that there is a better day coming. By helping them rise up and break the curse by denouncing the devil and all his ways. By lifting the Name of Jesus and speaking the power of that Name over the land! By establishing the Lordship of Jesus Christ over Haiti.
Of course it won’t hurt to have some “band-aids” in our pockets as well to share, but “band-aids” is not our business! Our Business is Asserting the Healing and Transforming Power of Jesus Christ and speaking with one united voice with the authority that is ours to cast out the devil!
Back to me being Angry: Why? I am tired of Christians living with an artificial ceiling above our heads placed there by an end-time doctrine of doom and gloom rather than a vision of victory! I am tired of having to beg wealthy Christians for a few crumbs from their over-loaded tables so I can share those crumbs with a starving world! I am tired of selfish “Christians” who have no greater motivation than SELF and in that sense are no different from the world! (Some even think they are more holy because of the clothes they wear and even this self-righteousness is just more bloated self!) I am tired of so-called Christians who are content to chase little white balls around green fields in Florida since they have enough money to “retire” on while much of the world is headed for hell but they couldn’t be bothered! I am tired of “successful” business men with bulging pockets, acting like I am being painfully unreasonable to suggest they should share some of their time and money with others whose pockets are empty! (And by the way—if they don’t give it willingly the government cometh to take-eth it away.) I am tired of so-called Christians looking the other way (because, remember it is not our purpose to win) while we lose our privileges and freedoms to pray and read our Bibles in public places and while the Name of Jesus is forbidden at the close of our public prayers! I am tired of allowing 50 million of our babies to be murdered under the name of legal abortions and allowing militant homosexuals to define the meaning of marriage! I am tired of Christians voting again and again for the same corrupt politicians who use the power we give them to sneer and snarl at our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! And I am REALLY SICK AND TIRED of being told that this is the way it has to be because God declared it should be this way in these “Last Days.” And I’m really, really, really tired of you Face Book readers who don’t have enough passion in your hearts and fire in your bellies to get off your soft sofas and start doing something about it!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Stuff Christians Like
The below post is taken from the blog, Stuff Christians Like, it is entitled "Acting Surprised When God Doesn't Seem Close". I encourage you to add this blog to your RSS feed, it is always full of interesting posts.
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“Are you OK?”
That’s my wife’s polite way of saying, “Why are you being such a distant, distracted jerk right now?”
She said that to me about a week ago and she was right. I was distant. I was distracted. I was a jerk. Above all, I was surprised.
When I hit funks like this, I like to act shocked. I put my hands on my head and say in quiet wonder, “What is going on? Where is God? How come this Christmas season feels so awkward and scattered and ill fitting? What’s going on God, what are you doing?”
It’s better that way. The blame isn’t on me. No one likes to throw themselves under the bus. That would be bananas. But I have no problem acting surprised when God feels far away. If I was honest though, if I really looked at the last few weeks with a filter of truth, I probably would have instead said something like this:
“Wow, my quiet times have been wildly inconsistent this holiday season. I mean I often struggle with them during vacations because my normal patterns are all jumbled up but I reached new lows this Christmas. I’m not starting my days with God right now. I’m not praying actively like I usually do. I’m not centering my mornings and my days on who he is and who he made me to be. It’s been a week since I’ve cracked my Bible and in it’s absence I’ve been filling my head and heart with junk. I’ve been watching shows on Hulu that I never watch. I’ve been aimlessly surfing online which is usually a deathtrap for me. I’ve been nudging my boundaries all over the place. I’ve been reading and listening to things I usually avoid. Hmmm, I wonder if any of that will have a consequence?”
It does. It might take me a while to realize what I’m doing but when I finally come around it seems so obvious. When I remove quiet time and add junk, things get gross, fast. How am I surprised? How am I shocked that my decisions get shady? How am I perplexed that it’s suddenly a little easier to lie and twist the truth?
I don’t know if you ever do this, but I’m exhausted by it. I don’t like whimpering out of 2009 spiritually but even more so, I don’t like limping into 2010.
Let’s put aside our surprise. Let’s stop pretending. Faith is a day by day, decision by decision, breath by breath kind of thing. And when we spend those days indulging in poison, we get poisonous lives.
The cat is out of the bag. Farewell surprise.
_________________________________________________________________
“Are you OK?”
That’s my wife’s polite way of saying, “Why are you being such a distant, distracted jerk right now?”
She said that to me about a week ago and she was right. I was distant. I was distracted. I was a jerk. Above all, I was surprised.
When I hit funks like this, I like to act shocked. I put my hands on my head and say in quiet wonder, “What is going on? Where is God? How come this Christmas season feels so awkward and scattered and ill fitting? What’s going on God, what are you doing?”
It’s better that way. The blame isn’t on me. No one likes to throw themselves under the bus. That would be bananas. But I have no problem acting surprised when God feels far away. If I was honest though, if I really looked at the last few weeks with a filter of truth, I probably would have instead said something like this:
“Wow, my quiet times have been wildly inconsistent this holiday season. I mean I often struggle with them during vacations because my normal patterns are all jumbled up but I reached new lows this Christmas. I’m not starting my days with God right now. I’m not praying actively like I usually do. I’m not centering my mornings and my days on who he is and who he made me to be. It’s been a week since I’ve cracked my Bible and in it’s absence I’ve been filling my head and heart with junk. I’ve been watching shows on Hulu that I never watch. I’ve been aimlessly surfing online which is usually a deathtrap for me. I’ve been nudging my boundaries all over the place. I’ve been reading and listening to things I usually avoid. Hmmm, I wonder if any of that will have a consequence?”
It does. It might take me a while to realize what I’m doing but when I finally come around it seems so obvious. When I remove quiet time and add junk, things get gross, fast. How am I surprised? How am I shocked that my decisions get shady? How am I perplexed that it’s suddenly a little easier to lie and twist the truth?
I don’t know if you ever do this, but I’m exhausted by it. I don’t like whimpering out of 2009 spiritually but even more so, I don’t like limping into 2010.
Let’s put aside our surprise. Let’s stop pretending. Faith is a day by day, decision by decision, breath by breath kind of thing. And when we spend those days indulging in poison, we get poisonous lives.
The cat is out of the bag. Farewell surprise.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Would you rather...
Would you rather...
have your breath smell like a bad fart; or have your laugh sound like a fart?
have your breath smell like a bad fart; or have your laugh sound like a fart?
Friday, January 08, 2010
Vulnerable Prayer Positions
A couple months ago I attended a body language class. It was all about what our body language says about us, and how to read it to find out what a person is really thinking or saying. One of the things mentioned was that a lot of times, people (men especially) will cross their hands in front of them so that they come to rest in front of the groin area (see photo below). This is often a sign of vulnerability, the man is feeling particularly vulnerable (this could be for a variety of reasons).
Another body language sign is the lowering of the chin. Lowering the chin in such a manner that the throat is covered, or protected. This is often a sign of defensiveness, weakness, and also vulnerability (protecting the vulnerable throat area). Also, as the head lowers, the eyes also lower, suggesting submission.
I noticed that during my prayer times, whether public or private, my body seems to naturally want to float into these positions. I also noticed, during prayer at church (I know I shouldn't be looking around), that a lot of other people are in these positions as well.
What if there's more to our "prayer position". Think about it, when we pray we are going before a righteous, sinless, almighty God, and we are bringing to Him praise, and petition. This God, can see us for who and what we really are, He can see our faults, sins, and weaknesses. What an incredibly vulnerable position we are put into! Naturally our bodies, float to protect the most vulnerable areas.
Our heads bow, out of respect, but could it also be out of some defensiveness. As we witness the face of God, our weakness and humanness is revealed. Our bodies fall into a state of defensiveness in the knowledge that it is impossible for us to live up to the righteousness of God.
Finally, realizing our vulnerability (crossing the hands, protecting the vulnerable areas), and seeing our weakness (bowing our heads in a defensive posture), our eyes are lowered in submission to our great God and Saviour.
The most amazing thing of all is that in spite of our human weakness, in spite of our faults, in spite of our inability to even come close to the righteousness of God, in spite of all this; our Almighty, all knowing, God, the God that nothing is hidden from, this Great God, still stops,listens to, and answer our prayers. He gladly, accepts our prayers of worship, praise, and adoration. But, He also hears our petitions. He see's our weak, vulnerable positions, He knows that without Him we are nothing. He answers our prayers, He responds to our pleading.
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Would you rather...
Would you rather...
be forced to watch The Sound of Music continuously for 48 hours; or, drive cross country with Barry Manilow singing on the radio the whole time?
be forced to watch The Sound of Music continuously for 48 hours; or, drive cross country with Barry Manilow singing on the radio the whole time?
Monday, January 04, 2010
Looking Ahead
I don't really make New Year's resolutions. I just like to think on the year ahead, the possibilities and opportunities, that I will be presented with, and work toward making the best of what may come.
I am really excited about the fact that a Golden Corral has been built near my home (in Jensen Beach), I anxiously await the opening day for that. They have had a "coming soon" sign up for like 2 years, but this year is it. It's built and has to be opening soon. A definite highlight of 2010!
At the end of this month I will be going to Orlando, where my father and I will be attending the Synergize2 ministry conference. Looking forward to a time of spiritual/ministry growth, equipping, and refreshment.
April 9-16, I will be flying to Guatemala (my first trip out of the US) with a missions organization called, Latin American Ministries. I'm not exactly sure what my responsibilities will be there, but it will be exciting to see what God is doing in other parts of the world.
At the end of April, first of May, I plan to fly to Covenant Christian Academy, a high school I attended in South Carolina, for a sort-of homecoming/reunion. This is a small school, so any alumni, who have ever attended there, are invited to this homecoming. It will be really cool to see all my old friends, who I've only kept in touch with on facebook.
In August, one of my best friends (and groomsman), Jeremiah, will be getting married. He has asked me to serve as a groomsman in his wedding. That's in Michigan, one state I have never been to or through.
At work (Martin County Fire Rescue) this year it is my goal to take a more proactive approach in my transition to Emergency Management. I love serving in my current position of Fire Inspector, but I want to be more versatile, so I am planning on obtaining several FEMA certifications, attending an EM Bootcamp, and various other conferences and classes. This should be an exciting year for my career.
Personally, I am currently working on a writing project and hope to have it completed by April (more on this, to come). I am looking forward to more speaking/teaching opportunities, writing projects, and posts to this blog.
May this be one of the best years of your life! Make this the year that you put action to your dreams, goals, ambitions, and passions. Allow this to be the year that you realize and begin to achieve your life's purpose!
Friday, January 01, 2010
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